Daniel Brown explains what surprised him about the greens at the Andalucia Masters on day one

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Daniel Brown started fast on day one of the Andalucia Masters, carding a nine-under 63 at Sotogrande Golf Club.

Brown announced himself to the golfing world at The Open after holding the lead for long spells at Royal Troon.

However, the 30-year-old has endured a tough couple of weeks after missing the cut at the BMW PGA Championship and Spanish Open. Things didn’t majorly improve at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where Brown placed T54.

This week’s Andalucia Masters is a chance for the Englishman to bounce back, and Brown appeared to be somewhere near his best during Thursday’s first round.

Daniel Brown shares what he noticed about the greens at the Andalucia Masters

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Speaking after his opening 18, Brown admitted the fast greens initially caught him by surprise.

“It was good. It was a good, steady day and then a few putts rolled in towards the end,” Brown explained. “I was just kind of getting used to the speed of the greens a little bit. They’re a lot quicker this morning to what we’ve had in the practice rounds.

“So the first five holes was a little bit timid. Basically, I just got the speed of the greens and felt comfortable.”

The Englishman also claimed that the back nine at Sotogrande is an entirely different test to the front.

Brown added: “It’s obviously soft after all the rain that they’ve had. But on the front nine you can’t really feel the wind that much – the back nine’s a lot more exposed so as soon as you get on the tenth tee or walking down the tenth you realise how windy it is. It’s definitely two different nines out there.”

Daniel Brown already playing catch-up on day two of the Andalucia Masters

Brown is looking for his first DP World Tour top-ten finish since the Irish Open, and the 30-year-old will have to go low on Friday to remain in contention.

Spaniard Jorge Campillo and Frenchman Julien Guerrier are leading the way on 11 under after starting fast on day two.

Brown is currently two shots back and is among the later starters on Friday. Hopefully, the afternoon winds aren’t too harsh, and the European Ryder Cup hopeful can post an impressive number.

Elsewhere, Jon Rahm is two under and off the pace after his opening 18. Fellow Spaniard and LIV star Sergio Garcia is also at the same number as the second round gets underway.